CBI commences probe in Assam violence

Guwahati: The CBI on Thursday commenced its probe into the recent violent clashes in Assam that has claimed the lives of 77 people and it will soon register cases.

CBI sources said a team of Special Director Saleem Ali and DIG Satish Golcha held extensive discussions with senior administration and police officials of the state here to assess the cases of violence which could be taken by the agency for a probe.

The specific cases will be finalised by the CBI team on their return to the national capital, the sources in Delhi said.

Local police had registered over 300 cases after clashes broke out on July 9 between Bodos and Bengali-speaking minorities.

After fresh incidents of violence were reported in lower Assam districts, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi decided to recommend a CBI probe. The violence-hit areas, however, remained incident free today.

The CBI team is scheduled to visit the strife-torn districts tomorrow, Additional DGP (Law and Order) A P Rout said.

"Both external and internal forces are at work," Gogoi had said without elaborating. He hoped the CBI probe would identify the forces behind the violence.

Yesterday, four more bodies were recovered from the lower Assam districts of Kokrajhar, Baksa and Chirang taking the toll to 77 in the clashes.

"The situation in the riot hit areas is under control and there is no fresh incident. The army is conducting regular flag march in the affected areas," Rout said.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also made a reference to the CBI probe while replying to the debate on Assam violence in the Rajya Sabha.

"The government is taking this issue very seriously. A CBI team has gone there and an inquiry has started....I have instructed the Army to be alert," he said.

The Chief Minister has convened a special review meeting with top Army, police and paramilitary officials at his residence.